Givens leaning toward the Titans

[Miguel]

http://www.rctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060314/SPORTS01/603140375/1002/MTCN0302

 

[Pats726]

Seems like a done deal...really sleep on it and...GONE!!!
I also thought it was interesting that Chris Hope is visiting and Mawae as well...and LB Griesen....DG in tenn...a done deal in my book..GONE!! Good luck!!

 

[smg93]

Looks like its pretty much set. They've agreed on the financial terms already. The good thing is he's not going to another AFC East team.

 

[richpats]

Oh I just love this quote:

"In New England, I felt at times I wasn't utilized to my full potential. I feel like I'd have a great chance here.''

That's ridiculous coming from a 7th-rounder that's about to sign a contract richer than what he's worth. New England utilized him over his "full potential", as they do with a lot of late-rounders.

Guys like Fauria and even Chad Brown had good things to say about their times in NE, but David Givens chooses to put down the Pats at the expense of praising his new bosses. Good luck catching passes from Billy Volek or Vince "the 6" Young the next 5 years.

Consider the bridge burned Mr. Givens, Rodney will see you in Nashville this fall.

 

[PATSNUTme]

According to reports this morning, it's a 5 year $24 mil deal, with a $5mil bonus. No link to this. Heard it as I was going out the door, Boston TV station was on.

Say good bye to David.

 

[Pats67]

Oh I just love this quote:

"In New England, I felt at times I wasn't utilized to my full potential. I feel like I'd have a great chance here.''

He says right in there that he wants to "be a 1". If he's being truthful about that (as opposed to it be another negotiating ploy), I can't see what the Patriots are supposed to do about it. He's not a "1" here. The other guy is head and shoulders above him, and one of the most prolific receivers in Super Bowl history. If forced to choose, I'll take Branch over David 100 times out of 100.

 

[SVN]

He says right in there that he wants to "be a 1". If he's being truthful about that (as opposed to it be another negotiating ploy), I can't see what the Patriots are supposed to do about it. He's not a "1" here. The other guy is head and shoulders above him, and one of the most prolific receivers in Super Bowl history. If forced to choose, I'll take Branch over David 100 times out of 100.

agree but we saw branch can be taken out of the game when givens was not there last year for some games.so in some respect branch isnt a no true 1 without a decent no 2 threat i think.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

5 years / $24M is nuts. As has been almost every signing so far. Hopefully there will be a few players left once the teams run out of money.

Regarding the underutilitzed thing, just wait until McNair is hurt and he has Volek throwing to him, we'll see how he can utilize him compared to Brady.

 

[richpats]

He says right in there that he wants to "be a 1". If he's being truthful about that (as opposed to it be another negotiating ploy), I can't see what the Patriots are supposed to do about it. He's not a "1" here. The other guy is head and shoulders above him, and one of the most prolific receivers in Super Bowl history. If forced to choose, I'll take Branch over David 100 times out of 100.

Agreed, personally I don't think Givens is a "1" anywhere, he'll never play up to that contract and probably will never appear in a playoff game with Tennessee, so at least his consecutive TD-catch streak in the postseason will stay in tact

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

agree but we saw branch can be taken out of the game when givens was not there last year for some games.so in some respect branch isnt a no true 1 without a decent no 2 threat i think.

Agreed, I think Branch is a 1b WR not a 1 or a 1a. That's why I wanted Bryant who can also be a 1b. I wonder if we're talking to the Bills and to Moulds' agent, we're running out of good WR options.

 

[Pats67]

I don't think that's a Deion Branch issue as much as its a reality of the game. Jerry Rice also benefitted from John Taylor, and vice versa. Swann from Stallworth, etc. Irvin from Novacek, and so on. That's the way it works. Any receiver that is a sole option in any given situation (no pun intended) is going to suffer as a result. And Branch DID finish with career highs in receptions, yardage and touchdowns in 2005. Keeping in mind that a basic principle of this offense (and a fundamental strength of this quarterback) is to spread the ball around to multiple players. Branch is as "true" a #1 as anyone is.

 

[marty]

He says right in there that he wants to "be a 1". If he's being truthful about that (as opposed to it be another negotiating ploy), I can't see what the Patriots are supposed to do about it. He's not a "1" here. The other guy is head and shoulders above him, and one of the most prolific receivers in Super Bowl history. If forced to choose, I'll take Branch over David 100 times out of 100.

This is why many felt that David was gone. It's a rare WR that will truly buy into the "who's ever open", "whatever it takes to win" mentality. DG was a steal for us here, he worked hard to improve and now he wants to become more important for an organization, (not unlike Patton), I say good luck and thanks!

 

[mgteich]

And next year Branch will expect to cash in for at least $1M more a year than Givens gets. The bidding for Branch will start at Randel-El money.

I don't think that's a Deion Branch issue as much as its a reality of the game. Jerry Rice also benefitted from John Taylor, and vice versa. Swann from Stallworth, etc. Irvin from Novacek, and so on. That's the way it works. Any receiver that is a sole option in any given situation (no pun intended) is going to suffer as a result. And Branch DID finish with career highs in receptions, yardage and touchdowns in 2005. Keeping in mind that a basic principle of this offense (and a fundamental strength of this quarterback) is to spread the ball around to multiple players. Branch is as "true" a #1 as anyone is.

 

[Miguel]

agree but we saw branch can be taken out of the game when givens was not there last year for some games.so in some respect branch isnt a no true 1 without a decent no 2 threat i think.

I agree. Chew on this tidbit.

Givens has missed 11 regular season games in his career. Branch never had a 100-yard game in any of them.

Branch has also missed 11 regular season games in his career. Givens had 3 100-yard games during Branch's absence and another 100-yard game in the Cardinals game in which Branch was injured by Neal.

IMO, this shows that Branch needs Givens more than Givens needs Branch in order to be successful.

 

[Pats67]

Lies, damned lies, and statistics. I think that's hyperbole based on cherry picking arcane stats. Does Branch need Givens specifically, or does he simply need another capable receiver playing opposite him, like most #1 receivers?

We'll see how David does as the "1" in Tennessee. By this example, he should tear it up.

 

[NE39]

IMO, this shows that Branch needs Givens more than Givens needs Branch in order to be successful.

There are too many variables to draw that conclusion. They played different teams, with different guys covering them. We don't know who else was injured, as that could effect the gameplan. Plus, it isn't really a very large sample set.

I think a better judge of who is better is their overall production. Both have been productive players, but Branch moreso. He gets thrown the ball more because he is open more, it isn't like Brady is favoring one over the other. Do you think the Patriots gameplan more for Branch because they like him, or because they think he is better?

I'm not trying to put Givens down because I like him. I wish him well should he sign elsewhere, and don't begrudge him searching out a better opportunity and more money. That said, IMO, Branch is a better player and a higher priority. These are the hard decisions that must be made.

Losing good players like Givens is part of the price for winning. I think a big part of why the Pats are letting some players go is because they know they need to focus on keeping guys like Seymour, Koppen, Branch and Graham.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

There are too many variables to draw that conclusion.

In addition to your points, with Givens out they may have doubled Branch more whereas with Branch out they may have singled Givens and played the TE and run more. Clearly not enough information.